Moscow sent a secret diplomatic note to NATO

Russia has sent NATO a non-public message through diplomatic channels warning of its readiness to resort to nuclear weapons if the alliance tries to block the Kaliningrad region. NATO Alliance spokeswoman Allison Hart confirmed receipt of the diplomatic note.

In a document seen by Reuters, Moscow accused the alliance of a "dangerous and reckless course" entailing a "high risk of a direct armed conflict." At the same time, the appeal emphasizes that in the event of a military clash, Russia will immediately strike "decision-making centers in the alliance member countries."

"For the first time since the Cold War, Russia is threatening us in this way. So this is serious," a senior representative of the Ministry of Defense of one of the European countries told Reuters.

At the same time, a Reuters interlocutor in NATO noted that this was allegedly "another attempt by Russia to intimidate the Europeans." However, according to him, the response to this will be "firm", and NATO will not refuse further support for Ukraine.

NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart confirmed receipt of the Russian note.

"We sent a response in which we noted that NATO is a defensive alliance and none of our actions or exercises pose a threat to any part of Russia. We strongly condemn the threat of the use of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric," Hart said.

As EADaily reported, earlier the Russian Embassy in Ireland published information that NATO is preparing an air and sea blockade of Kaliningrad and the Kaliningrad region. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that "if the West attacks us, we will respond, and it will be a completely different war — and a very short one." According to him, Russia will be ready to use its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to protect its territory if NATO countries try to isolate the Kaliningrad region from the rest of the country. As Lavrov stressed, "in such a scenario, the risk of an armed clash is high, and with a high probability that Russia will launch preventive strikes on decision-making centers in the alliance countries at an early stage of the conflict."